kingsnake.com - reptile and amphibian classifieds, breeders, forums, photos, videos and more

return to main index

  mobile - desktop
follow us on facebook follow us on twitter follow us on YouTube link to us on LinkedIn
 
click here for Rodent Pro
This Space Available
3 months for $50.00
Locate a business by name: click to list your business
search the classifieds. buy an account
events by zip code list an event
Search the forums             Search in:
News & Events: Herp Photo of the Day: Horned Lizard . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day: Fence Lizard . . . . . . . . . .  Bay Area Herpetological Society Meeting - Apr 26, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Calusa Herp Society Meeting - May 02, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Southwestern Herp Society Meeting - May 04, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Exotic Pets Expo - Manasas - May 05, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Greater Cincinnati Herp Society Meeting - May 07, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  St. Louis Herpetological Society - May 12, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - May 18, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Chicago Herpetological Society Meeting - May 19, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  San Diego Herp Society Meeting - May 21, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Bay Area Herpetological Society Meeting - May 24, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . 

Re: zoos, parents & snakes


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The General Snake Forum ]

Posted by Carl_A on April 08, 2003 at 13:53:41:

In Reply to: zoos, parents & snakes posted by theMAC on April 08, 2003 at 13:28:51:

During college, I worked in the reptile house at the Bronx Zoo (that was the name when I worked there) and witnessed this on a daily basis.

My complaint was basically with the ignorance that was being passed down. Parents, not knowing anything about an animal and just trying to pacify the child with an answer - any answer - would just blurt out whatever came to mind. It's difficult to work against. A few zoos I've been to have volunteers / keepers out there to answer any questions the viewing public may have. My most asked question, "how do they pee?"

I have a feeling there's a greater fear of snakes (and animals in general) than there is an attraction. I, for one, have no problems working with snakes, large crocodilians and the like. But when I'm on a farm, and we're feeding peanuts to donkeys by hand, I don't take part, because I'm not at all used to working with these creatures. And that, I realize, is because they are foreign to me, and I have no understanding of them.

My thoughts, anyway. I should add that there are very few attractions at zoos that draw more visitors than the reptile house.


Follow Ups:




[ Follow Ups ] [ The General Snake Forum ]